For those who are curious.

I have just sent a Water Genasi Druid - Raine Fathomflow.  Circle of the Moon druid who aims to do most combat in animal form and the spells, with a few combat exceptions, are more of the useful type.  There is a definite water theme in the spells also.  

Bugbear:  "Next shift?  There is no other shift."  Here the creature slowly points to the pyre as it burns down.  "Bodies almost all gone.  Job done.  We were to finish, then report to barracks."

How about a druid?  Circle of the Moon, so a shape changer.  Are they first level?  Circle only mattersif they are up a level or two.

Also contemplating a Gensai for race.  I've never usedone before.  Gensai are people that have some elemental (think djinn) in their backgrounds.  If you want something like this (Not a big deal if you say, "no.") they have a few abilites such as a swim speed and the ability to breath water.  And their appearance would be distinctive - skin that is a light blue, for example.  Hair that seems to float a bit (like long hair in water) when they get excited.  The non-elemental part of her ancestry would likely be elf or half-elf.  As a druid the afinity would be to a river environment.  

Hionestly, I hadn't even seen this race until just now, so it isn't a big deal.  

Lily charged at the bugbear as the battle raged, only barely holding back before striking the creature.  She had not expected a surrender to be accepted in that way.  But it was and she listened t her mates.  As one of the dwarves started to question he creature she moved to make sure the other one was truly dead.  It was.  Rummaging through its gear she found a couple of daggers and the equivalent of 10 gp in various coinage. As the questioning continued she also scouted out the flat area on which the pyre sat.  It was about 150’ from end to end, narrowing towards the northern and southern ends and only about 50’ wide at its greatest.  A nearly vertical wall stretched hundreds of feet above it as the Blacktooth Ridge went straight up.  The cliff looked climbable for someone with a great amount of skill in climbing or a spiders natural gifts but for a normal Kender or other person, it was impassable.  Most of the flat area was barren rock and dirt, although there were a few trees on the northern end.  A small pile of wood, recently dragged up here judging from the marks all over the ground near it and leading to the path, was in the middle.  The remnants of a large pyre burned near the southern edge of the area.  Clearly it had once been a roaring fire of large size.  Now it still burned, but was greatly reduced in size.  A glance at the fire clearly indicated that it had been used to burn bodies, a large number of bodies.  Charred bones stuck out from the ash everywhere and several skulls glared sightlessly at the Kender when she looked at them.  But it didn’t take eyes to know the purpose of this fire – the sickly smell of burned flesh hung over the area, enough to make several of the members of the party nearly gag. 

               Despite the smell, the rest of the party seemed intent on offering Dok questions with which to interrogate the bugbear. 

"Are there any prisoners held captive by any Goblins or other dark creatures, such as your own species?    If so, where are they hidden and how can we get to them to set them free?"

Bugbear:  “Prisoners in the caves.  The caves you attacked yesterday.  Yes, prisoners.  I know where.  Last time I looked – two humans and a halfling.  I know where.”

(The following questions are taken from the Q&A to move things along.  Follow ups are easily possible.)

Dok:  Is there a back entrance to the caves?

Bugbear:  No.  Only one entrance known.  There is lower level that goes . . . somewhere.  But they don’t go down there.”

Dok:  “What forces are there?”

Bugbear:  “In the garrison?  Not sure.  Goblin Lieutenant runs the place.  A base for raids.  Good base.  After your attack, I think he might be getting ready to leave.  It no longer seems safe.”

Dok:  “What forces are there still?”  (Repeat since not directly answered.)

Bugbear:  “Twice what we had here?  Less than you killed yesterday.”

Dok:  “Any traps?”

Bugbear:  “No.  Not at the entrance if you mean pits and such.  But Maglerud thinks you might return. So, now?  Do’'t know. Guarded, I’m sure.  See.  I help.  No need to hurt me.  I help.”

Dok:  And what are the goblins up to? Why are they massing in such numbers? Who's their big boss? I'm not talking Red Caps, I'm talking the overlord. Is it the Horned One?

Bugbear:  “I know Redcaps.  Maglerud is lieutenant.  Boss goblin is Rottenkip.  He rarely here.  South.”  At the mention of the Horned One he looks at Dok.  “Horned One gone a long time ago.  Maglerud has plan of some sort.  He wants be boss goblin, maybe?”

(Dok – Based on an insight check, you sense that something was up when he answered the question.  You don’t think he way lying about the Horned One, but something didn’t seem right.)

Thaoran via Dok:  “Have you seen any elvish prisoners?” 

Bugbear:  “Several prisoners taken from region recently and sent North.  I don’t see all of them.  I don’t see any elves.  Mainly humans.  Simple folk.”  He looks at the group hopefully.  “See, I help.  I not fight you anymore.  Let go?”  That last bit was said hopefully.

Overall, his answers struck Dok as truthful with the one exception noted above.   (Based on insight checks.)  Remember, this isn’t a guarantee one way or another – just a statement that the roll of the dice offers no other insight.  Feel free to continue asking questions.

When writing this I forgot that Soledad also spoke goblin.  She agrees with Dok's interpretation of the creatures words.  She also sensed no lies - although she didn't get the sense of something off whith the question on the Horned One.

Yes, still interested.  I'll need an update on the type of adventure and maybe who else is in the party.  Then I can do a backstory.

The bugbear heard Soledad call out in goblin.  It looked at her and nodded.  The creature then looked down and with its foot pushed its morning star away from it.  It then dropped to its knees and put its hands on the ground, carefully keeping them well away from where it pushed its weapon.  

It then looked at the witch again and replied in goblin.  "I will cooperate.  I will assist.  You will have truth."

*I know not everyone has posted, but since you have some peple who speak goblin and the party seems to have decided to talk to it I didn't see a need to wait before we get to the Q&A session.  I may post quickly in response to question put to it so as to avoid having the discussion take 4 weeks.  Of course, if anyone wants to resume the fighting that can happen as well. So, discuss and get your question together and fire away.

Dok offers up a rough translation, "Attack not, I surrender!"  The second word he isn't quite familiar with but seems to be a plea to a higher power (Gorg?) for aid.

The battle continues to rage, and the party attempts to take advantage of their numerical superiority.  Thaoran slashes at the bugbears gut and while he did get his blade past its guard this time, it skittered across the armor to no effect.  Words were muttered but only another member of his clan would have known their meaning.  His opinion of the miss, however, was obvious.

               The bugbear started to laugh at his opponent’s futility when Soledad reached the top of the hill and started whispering of vile things in its ear.  She stood about 10’ from the creature and smiled as its eyes flew open in horror at the voice only it could hear.  (-8hp psychic damage) The creature howled as bugbears are inclined to do and attempted to run as far as he could from the source of his nightmare.  But neither Hornet nor Thaoran were willing to let it leave so easily.  Hornet slashed the creature across the side opening a vicious gash that staggered the creature and made it lurch towards Thaoran as it spun.  (Crit hit:  -12 hp)  Seeing this opponent that had twice escaped his blade already stumble in front of him as it ran to leave, the elf’s mutters turned to an exclamation of victory as the beast’s gut was exposed in mid spin.  This time, he didn’t miss.  His rapier disappeared into its side and the creature dropped first to its knees and then to the ground, sliding off of his killer’s blade.   Give the expression in its eyes, it might have been better off this way then with the witch’s nightmare whispers.  (Both got attacks of opportunity.)

               That left one bugbear still standing and Lily took aim.  She planted her hoopak in the ground and fired a stone right at the creature’s noggin’.  It bounced off the things head, but unfortunately off of the helmet covering it as well.  The creature seemed surprised by the blow but unhurt.  Meanwhile Hornet stepped over the fallen bugbear and slashed at the exposed side of the only living enemy – another solid blow.  (-9 hp)  (This was his attack for the turn, the previous attack was an attack of opportunity.) 

               Dok meanwhile continued his race to the top, finally reaching the top but still blocked by his friends.  Gerdar started to move around the others to try and flank the creature. 

               Before he could be flanked however the bugbear moved.  You could see the fear in its eyes as it took in its fallen ally and the large number of enemies surrounding it.  It moved backwards quickly retreating from the fight.  (Using the disengage action – so it can’t attack but also does not provoke an attack of opportunity.)  It moved 30’ back and to the right – up to the edge of the lip.  It looked like it wanted to jump down and run, but Gerdar wasn’t that far away if it tried and the hillside, while passable, was treacherous at best.  It spun back towards the party and threw down its weapon.  It backed up another step towards the edge, raised its arms and shouted something in goblin.  “Ashtagatog!  Viligorg!”  (Translation available if anyone knows goblin.) 

Overview

*Uthal still has his move this round – everyone else has gone.  I have paused things here because the situation has obviously changed.  If appropriate, for example if you attack, he will get to go first and then we will move to the top of the next round.  In essence Uthal would have two moves in that case.  Whatever Uthal does happens first. 

The only bugbear left (Lily did look around for other threats and saw none.) is about 30’ from most of you but only about 10-15’ from Gerdar and Lily on the right side of the flat area.  This area is relatively smooth and easy to move – it is not difficult terrain, so movement rates are normal.  At this distance the fighters in the group could engage him again before he can again move out of reach. 

I assumed both players that got attacks of opportunity would take them since it seemed fairly obvious.  You can always correct an assumption like this.  If it isn’t obvious I will contact you to ask what the plan is.  If it feels obvious I will move things along.

Jim - I don't think either bugbear moved out of your reach to provoke an attack of opportunity.  One was there and swung at someone else.  The other moved up into range.  But neither left your reach.  So no opportunity attack this time.

If opportunity attacks do come up I will let you know and we can go from there.  More than likely once I know what everyone is doing it would be something that impacts only one or two players and I might PM them for their reaction prior to posting.  Or there would be an addendum to a post.  But you would get to make such an attack.  Other reactions are similar.  If you think it likely (Like the use of shield last turn) go ahead and let me know what you would do "in case of event x."  

If you wanted to do a held action you would need to post ahead of time. 

Obviously no post Sunday, but it will go up on Monday.

It is almost time for another post - probably tomorrow.  (Sunday)  Two posts up.  Lets get the posts up and going!

Since you are already at the top - yep.  Others a little further down might find this delays them an extra turn.

Two players is pretty small.  I might wait and see if anyone else is intersted.  This site, sadly, doesn't get a ton of traffic anymore.  

If you wanted to go for it and Tom, the other person who spoke up, was willing to gvie a small group ago itis possible. If you did that I would suggest one of two things:

1.  Sily make an adventure suitable for 2 people.  Not an easy task for a new DM but doable.

2.  Still keep it small,but maybe add at most one very basic fighter to add some bulk as an NPC that travels with us.  

And ask Tom if he has a preference.  

It isn't ideal but it would give you a chance to give it a go.  

The battle of the Pyre was on.  Two bugbears stood cornered as the party started pouring over the edge of the flat area and onto the open ground.

               Thaoran saw the bugbear in front of him and aimed a rapier blow at the creature’s gut.  But the beast wasn’t just big, it was quick as well and it easily knocked the blow aside with its morning star.  It grinned an evil grin at the elf and laughed. 

               Lily was tired of watching the others have all the fun and put on whatever speed her Kender sized frame could attain while going up a steep and rugged surface.  She reached the edge of the flat space and quickly darted to the right of Uthal, doing a nifty little tumbling roll up onto the flat space and flying past the feet of one the bugbears as it moved up to the edge.  She landed on her feet with her hoopak in front of her as she laughed at the surprised creature towering over her. 

               The bugbear who had been a few feet back of the edge charged forward as the party began to emerge – almost stumbled when Lily went flashing past his legs.  But the Kender blur was not enough to distract him from his primary target – the large nightwalker that had recently joined the party.  The beast slammed his morning star at Uthal as he came forward, connecting on a brutal swing.  (-12 hp).

               At that point Hornet moved up (to the left of Thaoran – it is the easiest spot) and took a swing at the same one his companion had missed. But Hornet had no better luck and also missed.  (Didn’t need a dash to get up, so interpreted comments as wanting to attack.)

               The rest of the party continued to move up the hill.  They all dashed forward looking to join the fray.  Gerdar was able to reach the top by dashing – he was ready to swing next turn but realized that those still coming up the hill would need to find a way around their own party members to actually get onto the ledge.  That path was blocked by their compatriots locked in battle.

               The other bugbear, after easily knocking aside Thaoran’s attack, laughed at him and swung his massive morning star at the elf’s head.  But the eldritch knight responded with a shield spell and ducked, easily avowing the vicious weapon as it swept past his head.  Now it was his turn to laugh at his opponent.

               Uthal, staggered by the bugbears attack, attempted to sweep his staff at the creatures exposed legs, but missed when it took a quick step backwards. 

               It hadn’t been a very successful round of attacks for the party, but reinforcements were on the way.  As more and more group members came up the hill you thought you saw fear in the eyes of the monsters in front of you. 

Overview

Right now, four of you are on the ledge/flat area and confronting the bugbears.  In order from left to right it is:  Hornet, Thaoran, Uthal and Lily.  Gerdar is right there as well but needs to work his way around the group to get at the enemy. 

Previously I have listed your distance from the bottom – this is now your distance FROM THE TOP.  Remember that you can go about 15’ and still take an action or 25-30’ (depending on race) by using the dash and not get an action.  Now, however, you will need another 10’ of lateral movement to get around your party members.  This does not, however, affect distance attacks.  If you are right at the edge of the flat area but behind the row of fighters (where Gerdar is now) you can make ranged attacks – spell or weapons.  In the wonderful world of D&D, shooting through a space occupied by a companion is possible.  But melee attacks require getting around them.  If you are at the top the bugbears do not have partial cover from ranged attacks, but if you are still below the ledge they do.

So, distances left to the top:

Gerdar – at the top but behind the fighters

Soledad – 15’

Silver-   20’

Dok – 25’

Notes for Thaoran:

No need to alter your post - if somethng attacks you then I will have you cast shield in response to get the big armor class bump.  

Shield is a spell.  As a third level eldritch knight you can cast a first level spell twice before you need a long rest to get back those spell slots.  You options are shield, magic missle and comprehend languages.  

Shield - I already described.  

Magic Missle would take an action to cast (so no normal rapier attack).  It creates 3 glowing little darts that each do 1d4+1 damage.  It is a decent damage but the most important thing - they can not miss.  Auto hit.  (Except - there is one way to dodge a magic mimssle - use a shield spell!)  But when you absolutely must hit.  This is a great option.

Comp languages - seems obvious what it does. 

So you can do any of these things twice between each long rest.  

But you can cast as many cantrips as you want.  Unlimted.

Cantrips Thaoran has available:  Minor Illusion, Control Flames, Blade Ward, Mage Hand

For these the easiest thing is to simple google the name of the spell plus "5e" and read the description.  

Perhaps the most interesting is

Blade Ward:  You extend your hand and trace a sigil of warding in the air. Until the end of your next turn, you have resistance against bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage dealt by weapon attacks.

Note that it does take your action - so no attacks that turn.  Otherwise it would be way overpowered.  And it only last one turn.  but you can do it over and over again.  Cantrips are intended to be little spells that do little stuff but don't impact the game in a big way.  Mage hand, for example, can maipulate objects with a spectral hand - but only 10 lb.  So you can't wield weapons.  But you can use it to open doors and potentially trapped chests.  Cantrips are fun - check them out.  

This is much more basic than a module.  Module or books are thing syou would likeluy buy in a store or online.  They will have maps outlining the dungeon and often are very specific.  For example, it will have a room by room map of a dungeon.  It will tell you what monsters are in each room as well as the treasure, traps or other things of interest.  It often includes a description you can read to any characters.  It is essentially the whole thing written out. 

This is a super simple one.  https/dysonlogos.blog/2009/08/21/friday-map-goblin-gully-a-deadly-one-page-dungeon/

(Except this site always turns the colon backslash in to that stupid face)

Follow the link and you will see a one-page dungeon.  The one for the Vargolg is more detailed and about 25 pages.  10 pages on the Vargolg and the rest on the surrounding environment.

You don't usually play in a game you are running - it is hard to be playing and running it at the same time since your character would know everything.  If the party needs more people to survive you run a NPC - non-player character.  Think of them as a hired hand.  They aren't dumb and payers shouldb't be able to make them go first through every doorway, but the players and not the NPC make the decisions.  Just remember that EVERYONE in the entire world that isn't a player character is your character.  

Sorry - I somehow completely missed that you asked the question about the spell shield 

Shield:  An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.

Since it says" you" in the description you can't use it on anyone else, just you.  

It is actually a reaction, not a bonus action.  It doens't make a big difference, but essentially that means if someone attacks you you can respond with the spell.  It is actually better that way - if nobody attacks you then you don't bother using the spell. It only lasts one round.

If you are ever wondering about what a spell does, just Google the spell name and put "D&D" or "5e" (for fifth edition) after the name and you will get a quick anser to your question. Most descriptions are simple enough that even without much experience you should be able to get it.  And, of course, I'll answer when I happen to notice that you asked a question.

New post likely up on Sunday/

Well, the Blacktooth Ridge is actually based on a module.  At first it was an off-shoot company, but about little over a year ago Wizards of the Coast actually picked it up and published it as a book with some other stuff.  I don't have the book, but I have some of the older materials.  But that just gave me the setting and the original quest - so the Twins and the Vargolg, for example.  Boris was in it as a little side thing but nothing much was mentioned about him.  That seemed like a waste to me. 90% of what you have encountered is just me elaborating on what was a very broad base.  But I did have something to start with.  Plus, as characters always do, you quickly went off script with a full frontal assault on the Vargolg and I had to figure out how a battle would play out.  

As a more general statement I would suggest a few things:

1.  Don't be afraid of published modules.  They are a great way to start out and a lot of experienced DMs use them.  They make life a lot easier. Plus, there are still tons of places where you can put in your own embelishments like Boris. 

2.  If you want to do something on your own I would suggest thinking of a character or a location you like - then see if that inspires anything.  I'm a teacher and once a week I run an after-school game for staff members and right now they are on a side adventure that is based around a chracter I first developed on this site.  Zebulonicazarius Zickerthorn is a gnome alchemist of extremely high level (ok, on this site, he was just second or third but he's had a successful career in my head) who runs a magic emporium not unlike Weasley's Wizard Wheezes that needs to employ some people to acquire things.  Zick is awesome.  And a great way to send a group of characters into a nest of hags. Half the times I just think up places or things that would be fun and then go from there.  

3.  Don't be afraid to get help.  This could be asking others such as myself.  Or steal maps off line.  Or google "Cool Pirate magic items D&D" when looking for something.  

4.  Characters will do there thing - roll with it.  There was nothing in this module about a pyre.  But there needed to be some aftermath to the battle.  So I just considered what the monsters would likely do.  Monsters aren't dumb.  They will deal with their dead, but they will also have guards.  They will set traps.  Much of what happens is the DM going, "Well, that wasn't what I expected . . . so . . .this happens!"  I make crap up.  

I'd be happy to help in any way I can.  

Is this likely to happen?  I had voiced interest and sent some information but not really fleshed anything out.  If I should do more and this is ,ikely to happen let me know.  I think life has settled enough for me to be able to look at things now.

I am certainly up for giving this a try.

Hopefully this sources image works.  

That is 50' up the ridge - now only 25 from the top.  Those are distances from the bottom not distances from the top.  100' is the top.

Since it may matter here, actions below are explained in initiative order:

               The party moved quickly up the ridge trying to reach the ledge where the bugbears now seemed to be staked out.  The first to reach it was Thaoran who ran as quickly up the difficult terrain as he could.  As he reached the flat area, he saw two bugbears standing there ready to defend their position.  Behind them a large flat area extended – it stretched about 100’ or so from North to South – with a sheer cliff wall rising behind it. The flat area was about 40’ wide for much of this space but narrowed near the northern and southern ends.  Several small trees grew in the area.  A smoking pyre sat near the cliff wall near the southern end of the ledge.  About 20’ to the north of the pyre was a small pile of brush and branches, doubtless fuel for the fire.  The fire was still burning, although not strongly, and putting out a column of sooty black smoke. 

               Soledad did her best to race up the hill and catch the others.  Lily, meanwhile, surprised to have been caught from behind by Thaoran and Uthal, decided to give up on caution and ran on as well, coming to within 20’ of the ledge. 

               One of the bugbears had grabbed a large log and threw it at Thaoran as he climbed onto the flat area.  The elf, expecting danger when he exposed himself, threw up his shield and just barely managed to deflect the log and it bounced off down the ridge and into the brush, deflected away from the party by his shield.  The bugbear howled in frustration. 

               Dok chose not to dash up the hill, taking a more cautious route knowing that other creatures might be there to attack from the rear or sides.  He saw no such attack.

               Hornet and Uthal also ran up the path.  Hornet was close to the top, but Uthal made it to the top and stood side by side with Thaoran. 

               The second bugbear, seeing both Thaoran and Uthal climb into view charged forward and took a mighty swing with a massive morning star.  But it seems he couldn’t decide which one to target and thus ended up only striking the ground between the pair. 

               Dok, seeking the bugbear appear on the edge of the ledge above him sent a guiding bolt screaming towards the monster but misjudged the angle and saw his bolt instead fly past the creature’s head.

Notes and Overiew

*I interpreted Dok’s post as a “held action.”  You have the ability say, “I will do this if X happens.”  Then if whatever the trigger was you designated occurs, you do it.  He said he had a guiding bolt prepared. I would prefer you designate something specifically as a held action, but I know some of you don’t know that rule well.  Note – if you hold a spell and the trigger doesn’t occur, you still waste the spell slot.  That doesn’t impact cantrips or weapon attacks of course. 

*Gerdar didn’t post and so moved up slowly.

*Silver – Tann is having some real world issues and will try to post when he can.  He has been a very loyal gamer and a part of this site for longer than I have and I will be very patient with his needs.  Right now, Silver is along for the ride.

*The two of you on the ridge are up there completely and able to take whatever action you wish.

*Hornet, at 90’ up the ridge and 10’ away from the top can reach the top and attack next turn.

*Those 70-80 feet from the edge still can reach the top next turn only if they dash.  That would leave them without an action once there. 

*Anyone further than 70’ from the top can’t make it there next turn. 

*You can all see the one bugbear that moved forward to attack Thaoran.  However, given that he is on the ledge he has partial coverage from anyone still climbing.  This means that anyone not yet at the top can make a ranged attack on him if they don’t dash.  However, it will be with disadvantage. (Roll two d20 and take the lower roll.)  This would not affect Uthal and Thaoran as they are already at the top.

*The second bugbear (threw the log) is further back and not visible to anyone not on the ledge.

*I will get a map posted soon – and will use an alternate method that will hopefully stick.

Distances for everyone from the top:

(Note the distance to the top is 100’ – Hornet has 10’ still to go, Lily and Gerdar 25&rsquo

Thaoran and Uthal – at the top

Hornet 90’

Lily and Gerdar – 75’

Soledad – 55’

Silver, Dok – 50’

5 posts - I'm going to be posting very soon.

I can see the new one - the one just two posts up.  Can others?

The bugbears did not get all the way up in one round. They move at the same speed that a human would move. (A little faster than kender and dwarves, but still only 30' per round.)  They had a bit of a head start up the hill and only now got to the top of the hill.  I condensed a few rounds into one post or we would have taken a month to get up the hill and every post would have been the same thing.